The term dates from the mid-19th century and is usually cited as being derived from “boy” backwards. A
backwards boy would be an ill-mannered or uncouth young person to be avoided. Another possible
derivation is an acronym of “youth of Britain.”

Yob culture has become an increasingly publicised and even politicised issue in Britain. Several
issues have raised the public perception of a yob culture.

Government measures to deal with the problems of yob culture have included the aforementioned ASBOs;
dispersal orders (similar in principle if not punishment to the old Riot Act), where a public gathering can be broken up with the
sanction of arrest by a police officer; enforcement orders which are flexible but can impose 9pm
curfews on under-16 year olds; fixed penalty fines for public drunkenness or disorder; police powers
to close pubs or bars that serve drunken people; and council by-laws that make alcohol consumption in
certain places an arrestable offence.

Although most legislation and political ire has been aimed at young people, it has been noted that
older people and professionals are just as likely to misbehave under the influence of alcohol.
Alcohol-fuelled violence is one particularly troubling facet of yob culture. Home Office statistics show
that 40% of violent crime, 78% of assaults and 88% of criminal damage cases are committed while the
offender is under the influence of alcohol. The Institute of Alcohol Studies estimates that 1 in 4
'acute' (i.e. emergency) male admissions to hospital are under the influence. 75% of accident and
emergency admissions at midnight are drunk. And yet, at the same time as this government talks of the
problems of yob culture and public drunkenness, it plans to liberalise licensing laws so that pubs will
be able to serve alcohol 24 hours a day if they so choose. Joined up government?